Photoflash impact mechanism energizable by cam on lamp socket

ABSTRACT

An impact mechanism in a photographic apparatus for successively firing a multilamp photoflash unit is energized by a cam which moves in response to rotation of the unit and the socket in which the unit is detachably retained for indexing movement in the apparatus.

United States Patent Inventor David E. Beach Penfield,

Appl. No. 767,101

Filed Oct. 14, 1968 Patented June 29, 1971 Assignee Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, NX.

PHOTOFLASH IMPACT MECHANISM ENERGIZABLE BY CAM ON LAMP SOCKET 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 95/1l.5 R lnt. CL; 1 G03b 15/04 Field of Search ..95/11, 11.5; 431/92; 93

[56} References Cited UNiTED STATES PATENTS 590,204 9/1897 Blackmore 95/11.5 2,216,443 10/1940 Malkin 431/92 3,353,467 11/1967 Ernisse et a1 95/11.5 3,439,992 4/1969 Shaffer et a1 431/93 3,508,478 4/1970 Brooks 95/11 Primary Examiner-Samuel Matthews Assistant Ex'aminerM. L. GeHner AtlarneysRobert W. Hampton and John D. Husser- ABSTRACT: An impact mechanism in a photographic apparatus for successively firing a multilamp photoflash unit is energized by a cam which moves in response to rotation of the unit and the socket in which the unit is detachably retained for indexing movement in the apparatus.

EnqUnzs l9?! 3; 589,256

DAVID E. BEACH INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS PH-IIO'IOFLASH IMPACT MECHANISM ENERGIZAIBLIE BY CAM ON LAM? SOCKET CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS US. application Ser. No. 766,739, entitled Apparatus for Actuating Firing Of Percussion Ignitable Flash Lamps and Operating Mechanism Therefor, filed Oct. II, 1968, in the name of William T. Hochreiter; and

U.S. application Ser. No. 767,098, entitled Firing Mechanism for Percussively lgnitable Flash Units," filed on even data herewith, in the name of David .E. Beach.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to photographic apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for firing percussion-lg nitable photoflash lamps.

2. Description of the Prior Art Before the development of electrically ignitable flash lamps, it was common practice to provide illumination for photographic purposes by igniting a small powder charge. Devices having means for striking a fulminate or percussion cap were utilized to ignite such flash-powder charges, one such device being disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 942,941.

With the development of electrically ignitable flash lamps of the type having combustibles enclosed in a light-transmitting envelope, the use of such flash-powder charges decreased because of the safety and convenience of flash lamps. Such electrically ignitable flash lamps are now available in small multilamp units, such as described in US. Pat. No. 3,327,l05. However, electrically ignitable flash lamps have the disadvantage of requiring an electrical source and circuit.

Recently a flash lamp has been developed which utilizes a percussion-ignitable primer charge to ignite combustibles enclosed in light-transmitting envelope. A plurality of these lamps have been assembled in a multilamp unit wherein each lamp has its own reflector and an individual firing tube or primer. Such percussion-firable multilamp photoflash units, and suitable bases and sockets for detachably supporting the units for ignition and for indexing rotation in photographic apparatus are disclosed in copending U.S. applications, Ser. No. 765,930, entitled Multilamp Flash Unit, filed Oct. 8, 1968, and Ser. No. 813,420, entitled Percussion Activatable Flash Units Having Individual Striker Elements and Photographic Apparatus for Using Such Units, filed Apr. 4, I969, both applications filed in the name of David E. Beach. The former application describes a multiple lamp unit in which the percussion primer of each lamp is exposed for striking by suitable means. The latter application describes a unit in which the primers are enclosed within the unit and a striker in the unit is exposed for release by suitable means.

When considering the prior art, it is apparent that the old techniques for firing powder charges are not suitable for use with the compact and automatic present-day photographic apparatus because, among other reasons, such prior art devices did not provide for facile removal and insertion of lamps, indexing rotation of multiple lamp units or the energization and release of a percussion striker in synchronism with other cyclic functions of the modern photographic apparatus.

It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the more recent techniques for firing electrically ignitable multilamp photoflash units, i.e., flashcubes, in photographic apparatus are not suitable for use with the percussion-ignitable units because an entirely different type of cooperation is required between the percussion-ignitable flash lamps and their firing mechanism in the photographic apparatus than between the electrically-ignitable lamps and their firing mechanism. Suitable mechanisms for firing percussion-ignitable flash lamps are disclosed in copending U.S. Applications Ser. No. 766,739, entitled Apparatus for Actuating Firing Of Percussion-lgnitable Flash Lamps and Operating Mechanism Therefor," filed Oct. 1 l, 1968, in the name of William T. Hochreiter, and Ser. No. 767,098, entitled Firing Mechanism for Percussively lgnitable Flash Units, filed of even date herewith in the name of David E. Beach SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an improved impact mechanism in a photographic apparatus for firing multilamp photoflash units fireable by striking, e.g., percussion-ignitable lamp units, in which the impact mechanism is energized automatically in response to movement of the unit to place a succeeding lamp in firing position.

According to this invention, a photographic apparatus, having socket means for detachablyretaining such a flash unit and means for moving the socket means to place successive lamps of a unit in the firing position, is provided with a cam movable in response to movement of the socket for moving a striker against a spring bias to energize the striker for subsequent percussion contact with the primer of the lamp in the firing position. Preferably the cam is integrally formed with the socket or the unit, both of which rotate about the same axis. The striker can be a spring member with an integral impact portion. The mechanism also preferably includes latch means for releasably retaining the striker in an energized position after movement then by the cam means, and the latch can be adapted to release the striker in response to actuation of a shutter-release in the apparatus.

This invention provides an impact mechanism requiring few moving parts, since it may comprise an integral cam and socket, an integral spring striker with an impact portion and a latch for releasably retaining the energized striker and releasing it in response to actuation of the shutter-release. The simplicity of this mechanism permits compact and inexpensive construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a photographic apparatus and flash unit, partially cut away, embodying the present invention with the percussion striker held in an energized position; and

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a portion of the flash unit shown in section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Because photographic apparatus such as cameras are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the present invention. Camera elements, which are not specifically shown or described herein, will be understood to be selectable from those known in the art.

In FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown incorporated in a still camera comprising a frame 10 having an objective lens (not shown) defining an axis 11 for forming an image on a film plane in which the camera is adapted to hold a photosensitive film (not shown). A camera shutter mechanism and diaphragm (not shown) are also positioned in an operative relationship along the axis 11. The shutter mechanism is actuated by an accessible shutter-release member 12 to make an exposure on the film in the film plane. The shutter speed and/or exposure aperture may be determined manually or automatically by any known means.

' The shutter mechanism in FIG. 1 comprises a shutter striking driver (not shown) having a finger 13 shown in a cocked position biased by a spring 14'toward engagement with an ear 15 on a pivotal impact shutter plate 15 which is biased to a closed position by a spring 17. The shutter striking driver may be associated w'itha film winding mechanism 18 in such a manner that the driver is automatically cocked in response to operation of the film windingmechanism, as described in US. Pat. No. 3,186,322. A latch 19 on the shutter-release member 12 normally engages the finger 13 in the cooked position to prevent shutter operation until the shutter-release member i2 v is depressed against the bias of a spring 20. When the shutterrelease member 12 is depressed so that the latch '19 is lowered out of the path of movement of the finger 13, the finger strikes the car 15 with sufficient impact to pivot the shutter blade 16 open and make an exposure, until the spring 17 return h the blade 16 to the closed position afterthe finger 13 hasgcontinued past the ear15. ,f Accessibly located at the top of the camera frame 10 is a socket zl for receiving and detachably retaining a multilamp photoflash unit 22 containing a plurality (four) of percussion- 'ignitable flash lamps 23. A suitable unit'22 and a suitable 4 socket 21 are morefully describedin the co'pending applications referenced above. The photoflash lamps 23 are moulnted abouta vertical axis of rotation on a substantially square base 24. Each lamp 23 has a primer or percussion tube 25 contain-' ing a percussion-ignitable material that burns when the tube 25 is struck with a predetermined impact.'-Preferablyi the primer tubes 25are exposed at the base of each lamp and at the base 24 of the photoflash unit.

individual light reflectors (not shown) are positioned behind each flash lamp 23 and an overall light-transmitting protecting cover 25 is provided. The unit base 24 defines four lamp sides and includes a depending center connector portion 27 that is received in an opening of socket 21 in any one of I four predetermined positions. The unit 22 is detachably retained by the socket 2! by engagement of the depending portion 27 of the base 24 with releasable means in a known manner. I

Various cameramechanisms are known for providing indexing rotation of the socket 21 in synchronism with other cyclic operations of the camera. in the FIG. 1 embodiment the socket21 is drivingly connected by a gear linkage system to the film winding mechanism 18. The gear linkage system ineludes a fllm winding gear 30 that rotates a film takeup reel (not shown) in a counterclockwise direction (looking down) an idler gear 31, a suitably geared friction clutch arrangement 32', and another idler gear 33 that meshes with gear teeth 34 on the socket 21. When the film winding mechanism 18 is actult'ed following a flash exposure, the socket 21 is caused to rotate counterclockwise until a metering pawl 35, seen in FIG. 2 is engaged with one of four indexing notches 36 in a cam 37 that rotates with the socket 21, as described for example in 1.1.8. Pat-No. 3,353,468, when a subsequent lamp 23 is placed in firing position.

When afresh or unfired lamp 23 is in the tiring position, the primer 25 of that lamp is located in a firing locus 38 where it can be struck, as shown in dotted lines at 39 in FlG. 2, by an impact mechanism according to the invention. The impact mechanism includes a striker 40 mounted on the frame 10 in the vicinity of the firing locus. in this embodiment, the striker il a rprins member with an impact portion 41joincd by an intcgral flexure arm 42 portion to an integral columnar upright portion 43 that is rigidly secured to the frame 10. The striker normally assumes a rest position, shown in dotted lines at 44 in FIG. 2. in this position, the spring member is not distorted or distressed, and the impact portion 41 is spaced from the firing locus 38 to permit removal or insertion of the flash unit 22 in locket 21.

it can be seen that when the impact portion 41 ofthestriker 40 is withdrawn from the rest position at 44 and released, its mounted location with respect to the firing locus 38 is such that the restoring forces oithe spring member whip the impact portion past the rest position and to the striking position 39 in its lamp. "The spring forces of the striker 40 quickly return the impact portion 41 to its rest position at 44 after percussion, thereby allowing facile removal or indexing of the flash unit 22.

it will of course be appreciated that the striker 40 need not be a unitary spring member as shown in the drawings. The striker mechanism could, for example, be comprised of a substantially rigid striking element, pivotally supported on the frame 10 and engaged with a spring member in a manner such that the striking element is spaced from the firing locus 38 when the spring-member is at rest. it will also be appreciated that flexure, torsion and spring members of all types, can be used in the practice of the present invention and are considered to be within the scope thereof.

cam 45 which rotates with the socket 21 and can be formed integrally therewith, as shown in the disclosed embodiment. The

cam 45 has four cam surfaces 46 each extending outwardly of the vertical axis of the socket 21, and each of these cam surfaces is adapted to engage the striker 40 in its rest position 44 to move the impact portion 41 to an energized position, shown in solid lines in the drawings, as the socket and flash unit are rotated counterclockwise (looking down). As a cam surface 46 moves the striker to the energized position, the striker engages a latch 47 which is pivotally mounted on frame 10 and biased by a spring 48 into engagement with a cam surface 49 defined by a retaining member 50 which is an integral extension of the shutter-release member 12. This engagement between striker 40 and the latch 47causes the latch to be pivoted clockwise against the spring bias, permitting movement of the striker past the latch. The cam 45 is provided with notches 51 which permit pivotal rotation of the latch 47 without interference by the cam 45. When the striker has moved past the latch into the energized position, the latch returns to its retaining position in which it holds striker 40 and engages the cam surface 49.

For flash operation, illumination from the lamp 23 in the flash position is synchronized with film exposure by the cam 49. When the shutter-release member 12 is depressed, the cam surface 49 rotates the latch 47 clockwise to release the striker 40 which is then caused to strike a primer 25 in the firing locus 38 and fire a lamp intimed relation with camera operation. When the socket 21 and flash unit 22 are subsequently caused to rotate counterclockwise by the film winding mechanism 18, the indexing mechanism positions a succeeding flash lamp in the flash position with the respective primer 25 in the firing locus 38. As the socketand lamp are rotated, the cam surface 46 between the last-fired primer and the next succeeding fresh primer engages the striker and moves it into the energized position vwhere it is retained'by the latch 47, as described above. After the striker has thus been cooked the cam 45 is moved out of engagement, and out of the path of movement of, the striker, as the socket and flash unit complete their rotational movement to the next indexed position.

it will be appreciated that the cam 45 described above can be integrally formed with the socket as shown in the disclosed embodiment, or alternatively as a part of the photoflash unit. For example, the cam coupler be an extension of the base of the photofl'ash unit.

The invention has been described in detail with particular member movable to initiate exposure, socket means for receiving and detachably retaining a percussion-ignitable multilamp photoflash unit having an individual ignition primer for each lamp, said socket means being rotatable to successively position lamps of a photoflash unit retained by the socket means in a flash position with the primer ofa lamp in the flash position located in a firing locus, an impact mechanism for striking a primer positioned in the firing locus, comprising: 1

striker means having an impact portion which is movable from an energized position into percussion contact with the primer located in the firing locus, said striker means including spring means urging the impact portion from the energized position toward the firing locus;

latch means associated with the shutter-release member for releasably retaining the impact portion of said striker in the energized position and for releasing said striker in response to actuating movement of the shutter-release member; and

cam means integral with and movable with the socket means for moving the impact portion of said striker means toward the energized position into retaining engagement with said latch means. 

1. For use with a multilamp photoflash unit, the individual lamps of which are ignitable by the striking of an impact receiving member, a photographic camera comprising: socket means for receiving and detachably retaining such a photoflash unit, said socket being rotatable to successively position said lamps in a flash position; striker means having an impact portion which is movable from an energized position into striking contact with said impact receiving member, said striker means including means urging the impact portion from the energized position toward the impact receiving member; latch means for releasably retaining the impact portion of said striker means in the energized position; and cam means integrally formed with and rotatable with the socket means for moving the impact portion of said striker means toward the energized position into retaining engagement with said latch means.
 2. In a photographic camera having a shutter-release member movable to initiate exposure, socket means for receiving and detachably retaining a percussion-ignitable multilamp photoflash unit having an individual ignition primer for each lamp, said socket means being rotatable to successively position lamps of a photoflash unit retained by the socket means in a flash position with the primer of a lamp in the flash position located in a firing locus, an impact mechanism for striking a primer positioned in the firing locus, comprising: striker means having an impact portion which is movable from an energized position into percussion contact with the primer located in the firing locus, said striker means including spring means urging the impact portion from the energized position toward the firing locus; latch means associated with the shutter-release member for releasably retaining the impact portion of said striker in the energized position and for releasing said striker in response to actuating movement of the shutter-release member; and cam means integral with and movable with the socket means for moving the impact portion of said striker means toward the energized position into retaining engagement with said latch means. 